Black | Allagash Brewing Company

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Enjoyed and reviewed on 1/29/10.
Poured from 750 mL bottle into pint glass (yeah, not ideal, but I had no other glassware on vacation).
A: Pours a nice black (no light comes through with backlighting) with 1/2 to 1 inch creamy tan frothy head. Very nice for style.
S: Can smell this several feet away. A wonderful mix of dark dried fruit and belgium spices. Hint of yeast. Definitely a belgian here. With warming, more of the stout comes through with a toasted and roasted malt note.
T: Here there is more balance of belgian and stout. Dry toasted malt with caramel malt, belgian spice, yeast, and dark dried fruit. Although I love the two styles by themselves, when they come together here there is a bit of a clash (note: I love both stouts and belgians, so perhaps my expectations were set too high). Good complexity though and nice experimentation. With warming, dry dark chocolate comes through.
M: Starts more belgian--medium body, smooth--with a finish more stout-like--light and dry.
D: Very drinkable and good complexity. What I would imagine if a good dry irish stout was mixed with a darker belgian brew. Seek it out if you are a fan of either--or especially both--styles. Good sessionability.